Description

Native to tropical Mexico, this member of the Asteraceae or Compositae family (which contains daises, sunflowers and asters) is a popular and easily grown annual that has escaped cultivated gardens and now flourishes as a classified weed.

It is fully established in Australia and is commonly known here as Billy-goat weed, Blue Mink or Blue Top.

It has low sheen, heart-shaped leaves that are slightly furry with showy blue, lavender and mauve-pink fluffy, soft flower heads.

It is an annual growing to 0.3m high by 0.3m wide. It flowers from December to April (summer and autumn) and the seeds ripen from February to April. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by moths and butterflies.

Hardy, it prefers a sunny position with protection from the cold wind. It cannot grow in the shade and requires dry or moist soil.

Medicinally, it is classed as an anodyne — an agent that soothes, comforts or relaxes. The juice of the plant is used externally to treat cuts and wounds.

An ornamental plant, the flowers are very attractive to butterflies that can be seen dancing around their soft, blue fluffy flower heads in the sunshine.

Doctrine of Signatures

The soft, puffy appearance of this attractive little flower calls out to be touched. It gives the impression that it could be used to stroke the skin soothingly.

It has heart-shaped leaves that are soft, furry and pleasing to touch.

Its soft blue, lavender and pink colours are classically feminine and evoke a sense of tenderness.

Medicinally, it is classed as an anodyne, which is used to relax and soothe, so it carries the quality of softening the hard lines of tension and stress that grip and tauten the body.

Its use in treating cuts and wounds on the skin suggests a strong healing quality for emotional wounds that have penetrated deeply through the protective barrier of the aura that, when intact and healthy, protects the skin and keeps us feeling safe and relaxed.

It loves to grow in the filtered sun, evoking the image of lying in a relaxed state, soaking up gentle warmth and feeling no anxiety, stress , tension, pressure or sense of threat.

It likes to be protected from harsh, cold, windy conditions, signifying the sense of wanting to be kept safe from the outside world.

Originally a cultivar that has escaped and now roams free across the landscape, it suggests the feeling of freedom that women experience when they are liberated enough to relax and enjoy their sensuality and sexuality.

Individual Essences

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